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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think one bath/shower a day is perfectly adequate in the UK?

267 replies

AfraidOfMyShadow · 03/07/2017 20:15

I can even understand twice a day especially when it is hot or after exercising.
I did think DH was a bit odd for bathing at least two times a day without fail (even in winter) but DSS showers three times a day! I think it's insanity.

So a personal question to you all - how often do you bathe/shower and AIBU?

OP posts:
MidCenturyist · 03/07/2017 21:05

Every morning and occasionally in the evening if I've had to go into London and go on underground etc (I can literally feel the dirt on me after a day in central london) or if it's a particularly hot day.

LovePeaceAndHarmony · 03/07/2017 21:06

I shower 3 times a day due to having OCD. DS is following my habits he has to a bath in the morning, shower after school then a bath before bed.

DH showers in the morning and right before bed.

userofthiswebsite · 03/07/2017 21:06

In the morning yes. When back from the gym. Any other time when I feel gross. Have much love for my shower.

Original poster
AfraidOfMyShadow · 03/07/2017 21:06

VestalVirgin Yeah I think the saving grace is using lukewarm water and gentle soaps/products. DSS says it is really normal in the US to bathe so often. I think he and DH are just blessed with good skin!

OP posts:
OohMavis · 03/07/2017 21:07

I shower 3 times a day

How many loads of washing do you do?

Moose23 · 03/07/2017 21:07

Two on a normal day, three if I exercise at lunch, just realised I have showered no less than FOUR TIMES today, because I showered in the morning, at lunch after gym, when I got home before yoga (I felt icky after the stinking hot train), now I have showered again cause the yoga studio was hot and I sweated there. I need help!

Groupie123 · 03/07/2017 21:07

I commute to/from London - personally would find it minging if someone who commutes long distances only showered once in this weather. Don't your feet stink?

Moose23 · 03/07/2017 21:08

My workplace shower facilities are amazing though, double shower heads with one monsoon and one strong one, plus a clean towel every shower.

I feel like a terrible water waster though!

Slimthistime · 03/07/2017 21:09

in the UK, once or twice a day. Try to do hair once a day only but sometimes commuting and gym mean twice.

I think once a day in not-hot weather is fine esp if you are not subjected to a workplace or public transport. But I am honestly baffled that one poster said twice a week....

i do understand the OP DSS going for 3 times a day - it could easily happen esp in this weather. Morning, after school, bedtime.

Original poster
AfraidOfMyShadow · 03/07/2017 21:09

Don't even get me started on towels/washing!
DSS says he's been considerate here - on a beach holiday he can get through 8 towels!!! Now surely that is insanityShock

OP posts:
uncoolnn · 03/07/2017 21:10

Shower every morning without fail and a bath maybe 2/3 times a week just to relax :)

Littlelondoner · 03/07/2017 21:10

Shower in morning bath in evening.

If I go the gym I will run under the shower quickerly before getting in pool.

So I am sometimes a 3x a day too Blush

BuzzKillington · 03/07/2017 21:11

Quite often, I will shower 3x per day. Get up, shower, go the gym, shower and then shower before bed.

Pretty normal, imo. Dh is the same.

Original poster
AfraidOfMyShadow · 03/07/2017 21:11

Slim that is pretty much his pattern on schooldays but it is on the weekends too. And even on days after sports classes when he can shower there too.

OP posts:
ShakingAndShocked · 03/07/2017 21:11

Probably worth noting many people shower far less than even every day and that's ok too - horses for courses and all that.

Likewise (but way more importantly) people with illness are often able to shower or bathe much less than those who do daily. And that's also ok too and is very def not something others more fortunate should ever judge. I'd hate anyone to be reading this and possibly feeling more shit about themselves than they already do as, barring physical issues interfering with ability to daily bathe, the no.1 driver of a lack of self care is depression where even 'just' a quick shower can feel as impossible as climbing Everest feels.

Just chucking that out there as know when I had depression I was constantly judging my failures and inabilities vs. 'normal' people and I'd hate anyone to be reading this and then discounting their own wins iykwim. Pretty certain I won't be alone in recalling a time when a shower quite genuinely felt like win of the week!

Theconifers25 · 03/07/2017 21:11

Once every few days. I think I smell 'neutral' , so not of fresh soap but not bad either. I'm happy to be told different but I'm happy with myself in this respect.
I'm unhappy with myself that in the past with this type of discussion that I've lied out of shame (?) and said I wash daily as that's what's expected. I don't do that anymore though.

dontcallmethatyoucunt · 03/07/2017 21:11

I have one of those new mobile showers. I stand/walk under it all day and just scrub away.

BobbinThreadbare123 · 03/07/2017 21:12

In the morning, every day, full shower and hair wash. Then every evening when I've been to the gym, am hot or feel gross, or heading out somewhere fancy. Even though I have a water meter. Baths are gross though. Sitting in your own cooling, wet, skin flakes.

BroomstickOfLove · 03/07/2017 21:12

Generally once a day unless I'm feeling particularly lazy or dirty. Hair washing 2-3 times a week.

SleightOfHand · 03/07/2017 21:13

People that are showering/bathing twice a day, are you full on lathering up and hair washing. Years ago when watching America films they always seemed to be jumping in the shower, no lathering up, just seemed like they were rinsing themselves to freshen up. Is that more what it's about.

AgnesNitt1976 · 03/07/2017 21:15

generally every other day I have a bath otherwise my skin get very dry.

coffeeaddict · 03/07/2017 21:18

Having read a book about how cleanliness is actually making us ill (we need bacteria for our immune systems), I try to shower less. I wash various bits of me but not subject my skin to soap all the time.
I think twice a day is quite wasteful.
(Why would you shower before you go to the gym?!)

Moose23 · 03/07/2017 21:18

I definitely lather up each and every time. Hair wash is only once a day but if I exercise at lunch I wash just my fringe and around base of my skull- ends of pony tail. The bits that get sweatiest!

Rhubarbginisnotasin · 03/07/2017 21:19

People that are showering/bathing twice a day, are you full on lathering up and hair washing

I try to wash my hair only once a day but the heat and humidity can be so bad at times I do it twice a day or it smells like a musty towel. A shower involves full on lathering up but I don't linger in there because I don't get the pleasure out of bathing that others seem to get. Its just an end to a means.

DerelictWreck · 03/07/2017 21:19

I commute to/from London - personally would find it minging if someone who commutes long distances only showered once in this weather. Don't your feet stink?

Nope! I commute an hour within London each way and shower every other day when I was my hair. I'm not really a sweaty person (don't wear deodorant when at home) and my feet never smell. Never had any complaints from co-workers, friends, family or partners!